Wanda Spurlock, an associate professor in the SUBR School of Nursing, has been named the recipient of the coveted "Rosemary Volunteer Award" presented by the Alzheimer's Services of the Capital Area at its recent Annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon.

The award cites Spurlock's tireless effort and dedication in the area of Alzheimer's.

In her presenting her the award, the Alzheimer's Services said Spurlock's nursing career is driven by her mission in life, "To improve the quality of life for persons with Alzheimer's disease." Her commitment to this mission is demonstrated through her extensive volunteerism with community-based organizations serving the special needs of persons with AD and related dementias.

Spurlock started her volunteer work with the local Alzheimer's Services of the capital area in 1996 when she began serving on the Patient and Family Services Committee, later becoming its chair.  Her responsibilities included training support group facilitators, conducting site visits to support groups and completing annual evaluations.

During her tenure of volunteerism with this organization, she has served on the board of directors and the executive committee (1999-2004) where she participated in strategic planning for the organization, program development and fundraising activities.

In addition to serving on the Respite Center Advisory Board, Spurlock is a member of the Education Committee, Speaker's Bureau, and Continuing Education Planning Committee.  

Spurlock has received a number of nursing awards. She received the 2009 Louisiana State Nurses Association's Nightingale Award for Outstanding Community Service by a registered nurse and has been recognized as an Excellence in Dementia Care Specialist by the Alzheimer's Foundation of America.

She is currently collaborating with a panel of expert nurses in the care of persons with dementia to develop a Web-based assessment tool for registered nurses in nursing homes to assess their knowledge specific to the care of older persons with dementia. The project is funded by Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing in partnership with the Hartford Centers of Geriatric Nursing Excellence.